Company Secretarial services


UK, Hong Kong and Cyprus companies are required by
law to appoint a Company Secretary. However, the legislation in the UK is currently changing and, according
to the new Companies Act 2006, which will come into force on 1st October 2008, a Company Secretary will no
longer be required.

The Company Secretary is responsible for administrative matters concerning the company, is answerable to the directors, and is often called upon to keep the directors advised of changes in company law affecting the running
of the company.

The secretary can also be a director, but only if there are other directors, i.e. there must be at least two officers appointed at any time.

Nominee secretaries are often appointed in order to fulfil this role in a professional capacity. This is a service that Ancroft provides and we strongly recommend that this option is considered, especially if the directors are not familiar with compliance requirements and deadlines in a particular location.

In respect of most offshore jurisdictions, a Company Secretary is not required and is appointed optionally. The role of the Company Secretary in offshore jurisdictions is carried out by the licensed Registered Agents, who pay the government, franchise or duty fees to the Registrar of Companies and renew the company on an annual basis.